Vertical Rail Slider Latch Mechanism for Showerhead Holder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile showerhead holders require complex and counterintuitive actions to attach and detach from vertical rails, often requiring significant user force and complicating single-handed operation.
Innovation Solution
A vertical rail slider with a rotation piece and abutting piece, where inclined surfaces allow the abutting piece to be driven away from the vertical rail by rotating the rotation piece, simplifying attachment and detachment with a single, intuitive action.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring force is used to attach the friction block to the lifting rail, then the holder can be firmly fixed to the rail, but a large user force is required to detach it which may cause the rail to deform
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the attachment mechanism from spring-based friction block to a latch-based system with adjustable engagement force. The latch can be engaged with sufficient force to securely hold the holder on the rail, yet disengaged with minimal force through the release button mechanism, resolving the contradiction between firm attachment and easy detachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a latch as an intermediary component between the holder and the rail. The latch mediates the attachment and detachment process by providing a mechanical engagement point that requires minimal force to operate via the release button, while still ensuring secure attachment when engaged.
2Ease of operation
If the user presses the button laterally to detach the holder, then the friction block can be released from the rail, but the user needs to hold other portions with other fingers making single-handed operation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the detachment function into a single location (the release button) that can be operated with one hand. The release button is positioned and designed to be pressed laterally with the thumb while the same hand can simultaneously hold or adjust other portions of the holder, eliminating the need for coordinated two-handed operation.
3Reliability
If a friction block with spring force is used for attachment, then the holder can be securely fixed, but the position adjustment requires complex two-handed coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The latch acts as an intermediary that simplifies position adjustment. When the latch is engaged, it provides secure fixation. When the release button is pressed, the latch disengages, allowing free movement for repositioning. This mediator mechanism enables one-handed operation for both attachment and position adjustment.
4Ease of operation
If the release button requires lateral pressing against spring force, then the friction block can be detached from the rail, but the lifting rail may deform under large user force
Solution Approach 1:
The latch serves as a mediator that protects the lifting rail from deformation. The lateral pressing of the release button acts on the latch mechanism rather than directly on the rail, and the latch is designed to withstand this force. This isolates the rail from direct user force, preventing deformation while maintaining an easy-to-operate detachment mechanism.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables more convenient and efficient operation by allowing the user to easily release and move the showerhead holder with a straightforward toggle action, reducing the need for large forces and complex hand movements.
Implementation Method 1
Two ends of the elastic piece respectively abut against the abutting piece and the body to push the abutting piece to abut against the vertical rail
Implementation Method 2
The rotation piece is configured to be adapted to be fitted with the abutting piece through fitting of the inclined surfaces to drive the abutting piece away from the vertical rail through rotation
Implementation Method 3
the friction block may be attached to or detached from the lifting rail to achieve the effect of fixing or moving
Data Source
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AI summary
A vertical rail slider and a mobile showerhead holder are provided. The vertical rail slider configured to be attached to or detached from a vertical rail to be fixed or move relative to the vertical rail, the vertical rail includes a body, provided with a sleeve portion(33); a rotation piece, rotatably connected to the body around a rotation axis perpendicular to an axial direction of the vertical rail; an abutting piece, sliding along a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis in a radial direction of the vertical rail relative to the body and abutting against the vertical rail to be fitted with the sleeve portion (33) to be attached to the vertical rail; and an elastic piece (25), wherein two ends of the elastic piece (25) abut against the abutting piece and the body to push the abutting piece to abut against the vertical rail.